The Macphunn 18yo 57% November 2009

Bottled November 2009

Fascinating story here… (from LFW)

Price excluding VAT: £59.91
£68.90 Including VAT at 15%

This fourth cask (dated November 2009) of a single sherry-matured Speysider at cask strength bottled for Sir Charles Maclean of Strachur, Loch Fyne.

As a counter to the last bottling which was as black as black is, this one glows from within like amber – the stone rather than amber the colour, a real shine!

Another big sherry-wood dram, but not over the top, so you can speculate that it’s from American oak rather than European, I’ve no idea, but that seems a good, pointless discussion to start with, this is going to be a long and enjoyable evening…

Macphunn ‘November 2009’ (as described on the label to distinguish it from previous bottlings) is a single sherry butt with a whopping yield of 610 bottles. Inside there is golden syrup to begin with… A nice intro then the real drama starts with a tannic note that twists into an increasingly sherry-sulphury crescendo that never seems to level off – or end – until the swallow when the match-heads peak and the tongue is left as a well-sprung dance-floor for Indiana Jones to fandango! There is a smoky residue that fades with the credits.

Another boffo Macphunn, I’m taking one to share with my chums this evening, let speculation begin! I don’t want to call all Macphunns ‘ace’ because it questions the accolade, but it’s definitely boffo.

THE KEEPER OF DUNCONNEL IN THE ISLES OF THE SEA

or

A TALE OF TWO CHARLIES

“The Macphunn” was the whisky of Sir Fitzroy Maclean’s hotel, The Creggans in Strachur across Loch Fyne from Inveraray. Named after Archie Macphunn who was hung ’till deid’ for sheep stealing in about 1608 – yet recovered once revived with an interesting whisky cocktail. Sir Fitzroy is no longer with us but his son Charles Maclean (no, not that one) has revived the brand. For his first bottling Charles Maclean (yes that one) has selected a single cask of an 18 year old sherry matured Speyside single malt and it is exceptional, a yield of under 300 bottles so don’t delay.

In case you don’t know, Sir Fitzroy is considered to be the inspiration for our James Bond. Charles Maclean (no, not that one) denies any such claim but it has been noted that he has never been seen in the same room as Charles Maclean (yes, that one) at the same time, I tried to get a picture of Charles (the other one) but it proved very difficult…

Sir Charles

Charlie Maclean (no, the other one)’s tasting note:

Old MacPhunn 18YO (the first ONE)
Single cask Speyside @56.9%Vol

Appearance: Deep amber. Big beads, medium linger

Aroma: A big, rich nose, with only slight prickle. Dry marzipan and fruit cake moistened with Madeira. The cake has burnt edges, which after a while lend a slightly smoky scent to the whisky. The marzipan segues into almonds; there are cherries in the cake. Nose flattens somewhat when water is added and the fruity notes shift slightly, now joined by buttery/oily notes.

Flavour: Tasted straight, the overall flavour is very sweet, rich and warming, with a soft, full texture. Slightly tannic and mouth drying. Long finish. Drinks well straight, but benefits from a drop of water (two tea-spoons). The texture remains viscous; the taste not so sweet. Now there are some light gorse notes, with spice (allspice and white pepper) – the pepper stimulating the tongue and warming the throat.

Comment: A warming, reviving dram – perfect for recovering from a hanging! Unusually for a whisky drawn from a European oak cask, there is no trace of sulphur, and remarkably little tannic dryness. An exceptional example of this Top Class malt.

According to Our Joynson, this is a dram that will soon become as legendary as the stoy that give it its name.

To purchase MacPhunn November 2009 visit Loch Fyne Whiskies at http://www.lfw.co.uk/